Low profile tie-down winch

ABSTRACT

Low height tie-down ratchet winch for automobile rack cars arranged to increase the clearance between the winch and the vehicle tied down. The winch is adjustable along a channel having inwardly extending retainer flanges and facing locking notches carried in the flanges. The base for the winch has flanges extending in opposite directions from one end of the base beneath the retainer flanges of the channels and has a releasable locking lug at its opposite end, adapted to lockingly engage within a notch, to retain the base in position in the channel. A vertical axis winch block accessible from the top of the base is mounted in the winch block and is detachably retained thereto, as by a segment and notch connection between the base and a downwardly spaced flange portion of the winch block. A tie-down chain is secured to an arm extending from the winch block by a vertical pin, which may be removed without removing the base from its channel, or the winch block from the base. The chain extends under an idler in the form of an arched bar extending across the base, and where required, may extend under a second idler spaced from the base and independently held in position in the channel.

United States Patent Broling et al.

[45] Mar. 21, 1972 [54] LOW PROFILE TIE-DOWN WINCH [72] Inventors: KeithW. Broling, Olympia Fields; Richard A. Tatina, Chicago, both of I11.

[73] Assignee: Portec, Inc., Oak Brook, [11.

[22] Filed: Jan. 9, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 1,625

[52] US. Cl ..l05/369 A, 105/368 T, 248/361 A [51] Int. Cl. ..B61d45/00, B60p 7/08 [58] Field of Search 105/369 A, 368 T; 280/179 A;248/361 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,507,471 4/1970Haynes, Jr. et al.. ..105/368 T X 3,374,008 3/1968 Blunden et al...105/368 T 3,298,324 1/1967 Schwiebert ..105/368 T 3,205,834 9/1965Terlecky 105/368 T 2,205,273 6/1940 Radey ..l05/368 T 3,564,577 2/1971Blunden et al. 105/369 A 3,589,304 6/1971 Haynes ..105/369 A PrimaryExaminer-Drayton E. Hoffman Attarney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross 8:.Simpson [57] ABSTRACT Low height tie-down ratchet winch for automobilerack cars arranged to increase the clearance between the winch and thevehicle tied down. The winch is adjustable along a channel havinginwardly extending retainer flanges and facing locking notches carriedin the flanges. The base for the winch has flanges extending in oppositedirections from one end of the base beneath the retainer flanges of thechannels and has a releasable locking lug at its opposite end, adaptedto lockingly engage within a notch, to retain the base in position inthe channel. A vertical axis winch block accessible from the top of thebase is mounted in the winch block and is detachably retained thereto,as by a segment and notch connection between the base and a downwardlyspaced flange portion of the winch block. A tie-down chain is secured toan arm extending from the winch block by a vertical pin, which may beremoved without removing the base from its channel, or the winch blockfrom the base. The chain extends under an idler in the form of an archedbar extending across the base, and where required, may extend under asecond idler spaced from the base and independently held in position inthe channel.

14 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMARZ] I972 3.650.222

sum 1 OF 3 INVENTORS wmz BY wad; @fifff v PATENTEUMAR 21 1972 SHEET 3[IF 3 lIIlllIIIlllll IJIILIllllllll I N VENTORS Afro/mum LOW PROFILETIE-DOWN WINCH SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION Low height tie-downadapted for automobile rack cars in the general form of a capstan havinga ratchet coaxial with the vertical axis winch block and arranged foreasy chain replacement and removal of the winch block from its base, andhaving a quick releasable lock locking the base in position in itschannel, releasable by the blow of a hammer and the like.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an improvedform of low height tie-down winch operable in existing rack cars andarranged with a view toward a maximum take-up of the tie-down chain andreduction in vertical height of the tie-down winch.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form oftie-down winch operable in the tie-down channels of rack cars, in whichthe winch may be released for repositioning along the channel by theblow of a hammer on the locking means therefor.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved form ofwinch type of tie-down in which the winch assembly is always visiblefrom above, and the chain may be removed from the winch assembly whilethe tie-down is in its channel,

Still another object of the invention is to improve upon the low heighttie-downs heretofore in use on rack cars by providing a registering lugand notch retaining connection between the winch block and its base,which is releasable by the simple operation of positioning the winchblock with the chain in a completely released position, releasing thepawl from the ratchet for the winch block and then lifting the winchblock and ratchet vertically above the base for the tie-down.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a low heighttie-down and idler for the tie-down chain, which may be used with orwithout the idler, depending upon tie-down conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple form of lowheight tie-down particularly adapted for automotive rack tie-downs whichmay be positioned in a channel to tiedown a vehicle to a rack car, inwhich take-up of the tie-down chain is always in a direction away fromthe winch and car regardless of the position of the tie-down in the car.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent from the following description of a certain preferredembodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,although variations and modifications may be effected without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a generally diagrammatic view of atie-down winch constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention showing the tie-down in side elevation and showing thetie-down chain extending through an idler spaced from the tie-down inthe channel of the rack car.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tie-down shown in FIG. 1, showing theretaining channel for the tie-down by dot-dash lines.

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of the tie-down shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the tiedown shownin FIG. 2 showing the ratchet in horizontal section and also showing thelocking flange at the base of the rachet.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the tie-down winch shown in FIGS. 1 through 4,looking at the tie-down winch toward the chain and winch block.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the tie-down winch looking at the tie-downwinch toward the opposite end thereof from the end shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a detail end view of the winch block and ratchet showing theretaining flange at the bottom of the ratchet and the notch thereinaccommodating ready removal of the winch block and ratchet from the basefor the tie-down.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the positioning of thetie-down winches on a rack car, so the take-up forces on the tie-downwinches will always be in directions away from the tie-downs and car.

FIG. 9 is a view in side elevation of the idler shown in F I07 1; and

FIG. 10 is an end view of the idler shown in FIGS. 1 and 9.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION In the drawings, wehave shown in FIG. 1 a low height tie down winch constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention locked inposition in a tie-down channel 1 1 mounted on the deck ofa rack car oron the decks of multiple level rack cars, and have shown a tie-downchain 12 trained from a winch block 13, under an idler bar 15 extendingacross a base 16 for the tie-down.

In most cases, the chain 12 may extend upwardly of the idler bar 15 atan angle of substantially 45 and be attached to an automotive vehicle orother apparatus to be tied down to the deck of a flat car or the decksof a multiple level rack car. Where it may be necessary to position thetie-down remote from the vehicle, the chain 12 will extend horizontallythrough an idler bar 17 of an idler 19, and then angle upwardly to thevehicle, usually at an angle of substantially 45. The idler 19 willhereinafter be more clearly described as this specification proceeds.

The channel 11 may be a conventional form of retainer channel on thedeck or decks of a flat or multiple level rack car, or other vehicle.Where the car is used as a rack car to tiedown automotive vehicles, atie-down channel may extend along the car and be spaced inwardly of thesides thereof. The channels are usually spaced in the order of 40 inchesapart, although they need not be so spaced, the spacing being dependentupon the type of vehicle tied down. Each channel has a bottom web,opposite upwardly extending side walls, and retainer flanges 20extending inwardly therefrom and having inwardly opening notches 21spaced therealong cooperating with locking means on the tie-down winchfor locking the tiedown winch in position in the channel.

The base 16 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 as having parallel side walls 22and 23 having retainer flanges 24 and 25 extending laterally therefromrespectfully, spaced beneath the bottoms of the retainer flanges 20 andinclined upwardly from the leading to trailing ends of said flanges toconform to the bottoms of the retainer flanges 20,20 as the chain 12 isattached to a vehicle and tension is taken up on the chain, tilting thebase about its rear end as retained to the channel by a locking lug 27spaced along the base 16 at the opposite end thereof from the flanges 24and 25. The locking lug 27 depends from the enlarged diameter endportion of a stepped pin 29, slidably guided in side walls 22 and 23 ofthe base 16, and extending transversely thereof. A compression spring 30extends along the reduced diameter portion of the pin 29 and is seatedat one end on the inside of an upwardly extending portion 31 of a sidewall 23, and at its opposite end on a pin 32, which may be a roll pin.Said roll pin extends through the pin 29 adjacent the shoulder formed atthe juncture between the small and large diameter portions of said pin.The compression spring 30 thus biases the lug 27 depending from thelarge diameter end of the pin 29 into engagement with a notch 21 in theretainer flange 20. The locking lug 27 has opposite vertically extendingbeveled edges 33 extending vertically along the outer end portionthereof enabling the pin to readily engage within a notch as thetie-down is moved along the channel 11.

The large diameter end of the pin 29 and the lug 27 depending from saidpin, slidably fit within a keyhole slot 35 formed in the wall 22. Agenerally U-shaped rib 36 extends along the bottom and side edges of theslot 35 outwardly of the wall 22, to keep the pin 29 and lug 27 fromturning when the lug is in position to lockingly engage a selected notch21. On the inside of the side wall 22 is a recess 37 receiving the lug27 when in its release position and accommodating the lug to be held ina release position by inward and pivotal movement of the lug to engagethe inside of the side wall 22 to accommodate free positioning of thetie-down along the channel 11. The recess 37 has an inclined wall 39inclined inwardly from its bottom portion toward the round portion ofthe keyhole slot 35, as shown in FIG. 3, forming a widened bottom ofsaid recess to accommodate the pin to be turned into engagement withsaid wall, when it is desired to hold the lug 27 in a released position.A reinforcing embossment 40 extends outwardly of the wall 22 about thecircular portion of the keyhole slot and the large diameter end portionof the pin 29. When the locking lug 27 is in locking engagement with anotch 21 in a flange of the channel 11, and it is desired to move thewinch block along the channel, it is only necessary to drive the pin 29inwardly until the lug 27 is out of engagement with a notch 21 in thechannel 11. The tension of the chain will then advance the tie-downalong the channel to a next adjacent notch 21, at which time the pinwill snap into position. The blow of a hammer on the head end of the pin29 is usually sufficient to release the lug 27 from its notch to provideslack in a tie-down chain 12. Where, however, after release of the lug27 from the notch 21, it is necessary to have additional slack chain, apawl 41 may be released from a ratchet 43, to accommodate the rotationof the tie-down winch 13 by pulling on the chain 12.

Where it is desired to relocate a tie-down winch along the channel 11,the lug 27 may be driven or moved inwardly to register with the recessedportion 37 and then may be turned 30 along the inclined wall 39 of saidrecessed portion.

The winch block 13 is best shown in FIGS. 2,3 and 7 and has a grooveddrum portion 45, terminating into an arm 46 extending generally radiallytherefrom. The arm 46, as shown in FIG. 7, is bifurcated to receive alink 47 of the chain 12, between the furcations thereof. A verticalattachment pin 48 is provided to connect the link 47 to the arm 46 andaccommodate the chain to be wound on the grooved drum portion of thewinch block.

When it is desired to remove the chain 12 from the winch block, it ismerely necessary to release the pawl 41 from the ratchet 43 and rotatethe winch block 90 in either direction from a full release position ofthe chain, and place the chain attachment pin 48 over a notch 21 in thechannel 11. The pin 48 may then be driven through the furcations of thebifurcated arm 46. The tie-down winch thus need not be removed from itschannel to install a new chain, due to breaking of the chain, or whereit may be desired to use a chain of different lengths, or having adifferent arrangement of hooks to be hooked to the vehicle.

The winch block 13 is coaxial with and may be formed integrally with theratchet 43, although the ratchet may be welded or otherwise secured tothe bottom of the winch block. The lower margin of the winch block 45 isdefined by an annular flange 49 extending radially therefrom and alsodefining the upper limits of the ratchet 43. The lower limits'of theratchet 43 are defined by an annular flange 50 extending radiallytherefrom and fitting within an apertured portion 51 in the bottom ofthe base 16 and having a cylindrical internal wall forming a bearing forsaid flange. The annular flange 49 fits within an upwardly spacedapertured portion 52 of a horizontal wall portion 53 of the base 16 andspaced above the bottom wall of said base.

The lower flange 50 has an elongated notch 55 formed therein in the formof a segment of a circle and extending equal distances from oppositesides of a center line extending through the axis of rotation of thewinch block 13 and the center of the attachment pin 48. An internal wall56 of base 16, spaced above the apertured portion 51 has a retainer lug57 extending inwardly therefrom of slightly less length than the notch55 and extending equal distances in opposite directions from a centerline extending through the axis of rotation of the winch block 13 andlongitudinal center of the base 16. A spring 59 biases the pawl 41 toextend over the flange 50. The lug 57 extends over the flange 50 andcooperates with the pawl 41 to retain the winch block to the base 16.When the pawl 41 is released from the ratchet teeth, the arm 46 may bebrought to a neutral position. The chain will then be in a full releaseposition with the center of the attachment pin 48 intersecting thelongitudinal center of the base 16, and the arm 46 in the broken lineposition shown in FIG. 4. The slot 55 will then be in registry with thelug 57.

The location of the teeth of the ratchet 43 relative to the slot 55 issuch that when the pawl 41 is in engagement with a ratchet tooth, thearm 46 is out of a neutral position and the lug 57 will lap the topsurface of the flange 50 and retain the winch block 13 and ratchet 43 tothe base 16. This is to prevent the winch block 13 from beingaccidentally removed from the base 16.

In order to remove the winch block 13 and ratchet 43 from the base 16 itis necessary to turn the arm 46 to bring the chain 12 into its fullyreleased position, with the slot 55 in registry with the lug 57. Thepawl 41 must then be released to clear the flange 50, which will thenallow the winch block and ratchet to be lifted from the base 16 as aunit.

The pawl 41 is disposed between the bottom wall of the base 16 and theupwardly spaced wall 53 and is pivoted intermediate its ends on afulcrum pin 61 extending vertically through said vertically spacedwalls. An end portion 63 of said ratchet extends into an open portion 65of the base between the walls 22 and 23 thereof and has an upwardlyextending gripper portion 66, facilitating the release of said pawl bythe fingers. The pawl 41 also has an arm 67 extending laterallytherefrom having a lug 69 extending from said am and forming a seat forone end of the compression spring 59. The other end of said compressionspring is suitably seated on an abutment wall 71 of the base 16, betweenthe bottom and the vertically spaced wall 53 of said base.

When it is desired to completely assemble or disassemble the winch whennot in a channel 11 on a transporting vehicle, the pawl 41 is releasedand the winch block 13 and arm 46 are turned to a full release position.The lug 57 will then be aligned with the slot 55, as previouslydescribed. The winch block and ratchet 43 may then be lifted out of thebase 16. The pawl can be removed from the base by driving out thefulcrum pin 61. The pawl 41 can then be moved laterally to release thespring 59 to fall to the bottom wall of the base. The spring may then beretrieved and the pawl may be removed from the end of the base orthrough the opening 65. To replace a locking lug 27, pin 29 and spring30, it is merely necessary to remove the roll pin 32 and then remove thepin 29 from the side of the winch block.

The winch block 13 has a rectangular socket 73 therein opening to thetop thereof (FIG. 2), to accommodate a wrench 75 having a squared end(not shown) to fit thereinto and turn the winch block to take up on thechain 12 under the control of the ratchet 43 and pawl 41. As shown inFIG. 2, the winch block 12 is rotated in a clockwise direction away fromthe base 16 and side of the car, when it is desired to take up on thechain 12. In the present form of the invention, the chain take-upexceeds 8 inches and the leverage ratio on the chain increases in thelater stages of take-up.

As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 8, where four tie-down winches areused, the arrangement is such that the take-up forces on the wrenches 75are always away from the tie-down winch and load being secured. Thisprevents damage to the vehicle and to the fingers or hand, where thewrench might slip. In FIG. 8, left and right-hand tie-down winches areshown at each end and at opposite sides of the center line of the car.Thus, at one end of the car a left-hand winch is at one side and aright-hand winch is at the opposite side, so the pull on the wrenches 75will always be in a direction away from the vehicle being tied down. Ina similar manner, at the opposite end of the car, a left-hand winch isat the opposite side of the center line of the car. Thus, the pull onthe wrenches 75 is always in a direction away from the winches and carand vehicle being tied down on the car and the locking lugs 27 arealways on the outside.

In FIG. 1, we have shown the tie-down chain 12 extending under the idlerbar 15 and an idler bar 17 of an idler 19, mounted in the channel,independently of the tie-down winch. From the idler bar 17 the chaingoes upwardly at substantially a 45 angle and is attached to the vehicleor other device to be tied down.

We have also shown by broken lines, the chain 12 as extending upwardlyof the idler bar 15, at an angle of substantially 45, where it isattached to an automotive vehicle or other device to be tied down to thecar. It should here be noted that the idler bar 15 and idler opening inthe end of the base is such as to accommodate the chain to extendangularly upwardly of the idler bar at an angle of substantially 45 orto extend horizontally to pass under the idler bar 17. The idler openingin the end of the base serves as a preliminary guide for the chain andguides the chain to rise slightly and wrap properly into the groove ofthe grooved drum 45. The slope of the bottom of the opening is shown bybroken lines in FIG. 3 and is indicated generally by reference character77.

The idler 19 is shown in FIG. 10 as being in the general form of aninverted U-shaped frame, in which the base of the U forms the idler bar17. Parallel legs 79 and 80 extend downwardly of the idler bar 17 andterminate in outwardly spaced elongated runners 81 and 82 at their lowerends slidably engageable with the web of the channel 11. The outer sidesof the runners 81 and 82 diverge outwardly to flanges 83 and 84respectively, extending laterally of said runners and engageable underthe retainer flanges of the channel 11 as the chain 12 is brought undertension and inclined upwardly to be attached to a vehicle and the like.The leg 79 has a boss 85 extending laterally outwardly therefromadjacent the upper end thereof and forming a pivotal mounting for a lockarm 86. A washer 87 bears against the outside of the locking member 86and is retained thereto by peening the end of the boss 85 over saidwasher as indicated by reference character 88 in FIG. 10. The fitbetween the flared end 88 of the boss 85 and the washer 87 is such as toaccommodate free rotation of the lock arm 86 about the axis of saidboss.

The lock arm 86 converges toward its outer end and terminates intooppositely extending locking projections 89 having dove-tail like heads90, fitting within a notch 21 in a flange 20 of a channel 11, as thelock arm 86 is moved about the axis of the boss 85 in one direction oranother to rest on flange 20 ofa channel 11.

Thus, when the idler is in use, as shown in FIG. 1, and the chain 12 mayextend upwardly of the idler bar 17 at an angle of substantially 45. Thelocking member 86 may be swung about the axis of the boss 85 to engage adove-tail end portion 90 in a notch 21 in the associated flange 20 andto thereby retain the idler from movement along the channel as tensionis taken up on the chain 12 and the chain is under tension tying avehicle to the flat deck of the car.

It is, of course, understood that the lock arm 86 may be positionedalong the retainer flange 20 to extend in a forward or rearwarddirection as shown in FIG. 9, although said lock arm is usuallyoperative to lock the idler 19 in position with the lock arm 86extending in a rearward direction as shown in FIG. 1. The lock arm 96,however, is so arranged as to be reversible and to enable the idler tolockingly engage notches in the channel when in either a right orleft-hand channel, so the lock arm 86 is always accessible from theoutside of the idler. It should further be understood that the shouldersformed by the inner end portions of said dove-tailed end portions ofsaid lock arm engage under the retainer flange in the associatedchannel, and lock the locking projection 90 from coming out ofa retainernotch.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a tie-down for freight vehicles and in combination with a channelon the deck of the vehicle having inwardly extending retainer flangeshaving inwardly opening notches spaced therealong,

a tie-down winch including a base supported for slidable movement alongsaid channel and having flanges extending laterally from opposite sidesthereof for engagement beneath said retainer flanges,

locking means carried by said base and mounted for movement relative tosaid base into locking engagement with a notch in a retainer flange ofthe channel to hold said base from movement along said channel,

a winch block mounted on said base intermediate the ends thereof formovement about a vertical axis, and freely accessible from the top ofsaid base,

said winch block having a grooved drum portion and spaced bearing meansdisposed therebeneath rotatably mounting said winch block to extendabove the top of said base,

a flexible tie-down,

means fixing the free end of said tie-down to said grooved drum portionof said winch block, to be wound thereon and extend along the top ofsaid base,

pawl and ratchet means for holding said winch block from rotation in anunwinding direction, and accommodating the operation of said winch blockto take up on said flexible tie-down, including a ratchet on said winchblock between said spaced bearing portions and a pawl pivoted on saidbase and releasable from said winch block and ratchet to accommodateremoval of said winch block from said base,

guide means for said flexible tie-down at one end of said base, slidablyengaged by said flexible tie-down and guiding said flexible tie-down toextend from said winch block for attachment to a vehicle and the like.

2. The tie-down of claim 1,

wherein the winch block has an arm extending radially from the grooveddrum portion thereof,

wherein the flexible tie-down is a link chain, and

wherein an attachment pin connects said tie-down chain to the end ofsaid arm, and is releasable by turning said arm to the longitudinal axisof said base, into alignment with and over one of the notches in aretainer flange and punching said pin through said arm and notch forready replacement of the chain.

3. The tie-down of claim 1,

wherein the base has a pair of vertically spaced walls, having alignedapertured portions having internal cylindrical walls,

wherein the spaced bearing portions include a radial flange extendingfrom the lower end of said winch block and mounted in the upper of saidinternal cylindrical walls,

a second radial flange extending radially of said ratchet and rotatablymounted in the lower of said cylindrical walls, and

wherein a releasable connection is provided between said base and thelower of said flanges accommodating release of said winch block andratchet by intentionally moving said winch block into a release positionby release of said pawl from said winch block and by pulling movement onsaid winch block relative to said base as said winch block and the tiedown connected thereto are in fully released positions.

4. The tie-down of claim 3,

wherein a segment extends inwardly over the lower of said cylindricalwalls into engagement with said flange to hold the winch block inposition,

wherein said flange has a notch opening to the periphery thereof andregistered with said segment, when said winch block is in a fullyreleased position, to accommodate upward lifting movement of said winchblock and ratchet from said base, without removing said base from itschannel, and

wherein the teeth of said ratchet are in such relation relative to saidnotch that the pawl must be released and the ratchet purposely moved toregister said notch with said segment.

5. The tie-down of claim 3,

wherein the pawl extends over said flange and cooperates to retain saidwinch block in position in said base, and

wherein spring means bias said pawl into engagement with said ratchetand accommodates release of said pawl relative to said ratchet, upon thetaking up of tension on said tie down, and also accommodates movement ofsaid pawl away from said radial flange to permit free vertical liftingmovement of said winch block from said base, upon registry of saidreleasable connection.

6. The tie-down of claim 4,

wherein said pawl is fulcrummed about a vertical pivot pin,

wherein spring means bias said pawl to extend over the top surface ofthe lowermost of said flanges into engagement with said ratchet teeth,and

wherein manual release means are provided accommodating selective saidpawl for movement of said pawl away from the top surface of thelowermost of said flanges and permitting bodily removal of said winchblock and ratchet from said base when said winch block is in a fullyreleased position as said notch in said flange is in registry with saidsegment.

7. The tie-down of claim 1,

wherein the releasable locking means retaining said base to saidchannel, includes 1 a pin movably mounted in said base for movementtransversely thereof,

spring means biasing said pin outwardly of said base, and

an elongated locking lug depending from said pin and biased by saidspring means to engage a notch in a retainer flange of the channel,

means guiding said lug in alignment with a notch in a retainer flange ofthe channel to accommodate said spring means to lockingly engage saidlug with a notch in a retainer flange of the channel,

whereby said lug may be releasable from said retainer flange by a blowon the end of said pin.

8. The tie-down of claim 7,

wherein the base has a wall through which said pin extends,

wherein an apertured portion is provided in said wall to slidablyreceive said pin and locking lug, and

wherein a retainer recess is provided on the inside of said wallaccommodating the turning of said pin and lug into said recess uponinward movement of said pin and lug, to hold said lug in a fullyreleased position and to accommodate free movement of said base alongsaid channel.

9. The tie-down of claim 8,

wherein a rib extends outwardly of said wall about the lower end portionof said apertured portion for said pin and lug, to hold said lug fromturning movement about the axis of said pin, upon engagement of said lugwith a notch in said channel.

10. The tie-down of claim 10,

wherein the spaced bearing means comprise flanges defining the upper andlower limits of said ratchet,

wherein said base has generally cylindrical interior wall portionsforming bearing openings for said flanges,

wherein said pawl extends over the top surface of the lowermost of saidflanges, and

wherein the lowermost of said flanges has a segmental notch therein,

wherein the lowermost interior wall portion has a segment extendinginwardly therefrom over the top surface of the lowermost of said flangesand registrable with said notch, when the flexible tie-down in a fullyreleased position, to accommodate removal of said winch block andratchet from said base without removing said base from said channel uponrelease of said pawl, and registry of said segment with said segmentalnotch.

1 l. The tie-down of claim 10,

wherein a compression spring biases said pawl into engagement with saidratchet,

wherein a pin forms a fulcrum for said pawl intermediate the endsthereof,

wherein removal of said spring and pawl may be attained by driving saidpin out of en agement with said pawl, and wherein said base 15 close inthe region of said spring, to

retain said spring from dropping into said channel.

12. The tie-down of claim 11, I

wherein an idler for said flexible tie-down is mounted in said channeland is spaced from said base and consists in an arched bar extendingover said tie-down and locking means engageable with a notch in saidchannel to lock said idler in position.

.13. In a tie-down for freight vehicles and in combination with achannel on the deck of a vehicle and having retainer flanges extendinginwardly therefrom, with locking notches in said flmiges, and a tie-downwinch retained to said channel having a tie-down chain extendingtherefrom and adapted to take up tension on said chain,

an idler for said chain spaced along said channel from said tie-downwinch,

said idler including an arched bar through which said chain extends,

parallel legs extending downwardly from said bar and having elongatedrunners a the lower ends thereof engageable with the base of saidchannel,

flanges extending laterally of said runners for engagement beneath saidretainer flanges, to retain said idler to said channel upon the takingup of tension on said chain,

a reversible lock arm pivoted to an outer of said legs, ad-

jacent one of its ends,

a pivot for said lock arm extending laterally of an outer of said legs,

said lock arm having a free end having locking projections extendingupwardly and downwardly therefrom, a selected of said projections beingengageable with a notch in said channel upon pivotal movement of saidlock arm in one direction or another into position along the top of oneof said retainer flanges.

14. The tie-down of claim 13,

wherein the locking projections have lugs on the ends thereof havinginclined leading ends and shoulders at the termination of said leadingends, to engage the underside of the channel, by the tension on thechain, and

wherein said arms are inclined relative to each other to position onearm perpendicular to a flange of said channel in one position of saidlock arm, and to position the opposite arm perpendicular to the flangeof said channel, in the opposite position of said lock arm.

Patent No.. 3, 650, 222 Dated March 21, 1972 Inventor(s) Keith W.Broling and Richard A. Tatina It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrectedas shown below:

Column 4, line 71, change "the opposite" to --one';

line 72, after "car", insert --and a right-hand winch is at the oppositeside'of the center line of the car.

Column 8, line 3, change tie-down in" to tie-down is in; 7

line 34, chanqe "runners a" to -runners at-.

Signed and sealed this 31st day of' October 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. 7 ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents FORM PO-105O (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 U.S GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE: I965 0-356-334

1. In a tie-down for freight vehicles and in combination with a channelon the deck of the vehicle having inwardly extending retainer flangeshaving inwardly opening notches spaced therealong, a tie-down winchincluding a base supported for slidable movement along said channel andhaving flanges extending laterally from opposite sides thereof forengagement beneath said retainer flanges, locking means carried by saidbase and mounted for movement relative to said base into lockingengagement with a notch in a retainer flange of the channel to hold saidbase from movement along said channel, a winch block mounted on saidbase intermediate the ends thereof for movement about a vertical axis,and freely accessible from the top of said base, said winch block havinga grooved drum portion and spaced bearing means disposed therebeneathrotatably mounting said winch block to extend above the top of saidbase, a flexible tie-down, means fixing the free end of said tie-down tosaid grooved drum portion of said winch block, to be wound thereon andextend along the top of said base, pawl and ratchet means for holdingsaid winch block from rotation in an unwinding direction, andaccommodating the operation of said winch block to take up on saidflexible tiedown, including a ratchet on said winch block between saidspaced bearing portions and a pawl pivoted on said base and releasablefrom said winch block and ratchet to accommodate removal of said winchblock from said base, guide means for said flexible tie-down at one endof said base, slidably engaged by said flexible Tie-down and guidingsaid flexible tie-down to extend from said winch block for attachment toa vehicle and the like.
 2. The tie-down of claim 1, wherein the winchblock has an arm extending radially from the grooved drum portionthereof, wherein the flexible tie-down is a link chain, and wherein anattachment pin connects said tie-down chain to the end of said arm, andis releasable by turning said arm 90* to the longitudinal axis of saidbase, into alignment with and over one of the notches in a retainerflange and punching said pin through said arm and notch for readyreplacement of the chain.
 3. The tie-down of claim 1, wherein the basehas a pair of vertically spaced walls, having aligned apertured portionshaving internal cylindrical walls, wherein the spaced bearing portionsinclude a radial flange extending from the lower end of said winch blockand mounted in the upper of said internal cylindrical walls, a secondradial flange extending radially of said ratchet and rotatably mountedin the lower of said cylindrical walls, and wherein a releasableconnection is provided between said base and the lower of said flangesaccommodating release of said winch block and ratchet by intentionallymoving said winch block into a release position by release of said pawlfrom said winch block and by pulling movement on said winch blockrelative to said base as said winch block and the tie down connectedthereto are in fully released positions.
 4. The tie-down of claim 3,wherein a segment extends inwardly over the lower of said cylindricalwalls into engagement with said flange to hold the winch block inposition, wherein said flange has a notch opening to the peripherythereof and registered with said segment, when said winch block is in afully released position, to accommodate upward lifting movement of saidwinch block and ratchet from said base, without removing said base fromits channel, and wherein the teeth of said ratchet are in such relationrelative to said notch that the pawl must be released and the ratchetpurposely moved to register said notch with said segment.
 5. Thetie-down of claim 3, wherein the pawl extends over said flange andcooperates to retain said winch block in position in said base, andwherein spring means bias said pawl into engagement with said ratchetand accommodates release of said pawl relative to said ratchet, upon thetaking up of tension on said tie down, and also accommodates movement ofsaid pawl away from said radial flange to permit free vertical liftingmovement of said winch block from said base, upon registry of saidreleasable connection.
 6. The tie-down of claim 4, wherein said pawl isfulcrummed about a vertical pivot pin, wherein spring means bias saidpawl to extend over the top surface of the lowermost of said flangesinto engagement with said ratchet teeth, and wherein manual releasemeans are provided accommodating selective said pawl for movement ofsaid pawl away from the top surface of the lowermost of said flanges andpermitting bodily removal of said winch block and ratchet from said basewhen said winch block is in a fully released position as said notch insaid flange is in registry with said segment.
 7. The tie-down of claim1, wherein the releasable locking means retaining said base to saidchannel, includes a pin movably mounted in said base for movementtransversely thereof, spring means biasing said pin outwardly of saidbase, and an elongated locking lug depending from said pin and biased bysaid spring means to engage a notch in a retainer flange of the channel,means guiding said lug in alignment with a notch in a retainer flange ofthe channel to accommodate said spring means to lockingly engage saidlug with a notch in a retainer flange of the channel, whereby said lugmay be releasable from said retainer flange by a blow on the end of saidpin.
 8. The tie-down of claim 7, wherein the base has a wall throughwhich said pin extends, wherein an apertured portion is provided in saidwall to slidably receive said pin and locking lug, and wherein aretainer recess is provided on the inside of said wall accommodating theturning of said pin and lug into said recess upon inward movement ofsaid pin and lug, to hold said lug in a fully released position and toaccommodate free movement of said base along said channel.
 9. Thetie-down of claim 8, wherein a rib extends outwardly of said wall aboutthe lower end portion of said apertured portion for said pin and lug, tohold said lug from turning movement about the axis of said pin, uponengagement of said lug with a notch in said channel.
 10. The tie-down ofclaim 10, wherein the spaced bearing means comprise flanges defining theupper and lower limits of said ratchet, wherein said base has generallycylindrical interior wall portions forming bearing openings for saidflanges, wherein said pawl extends over the top surface of the lowermostof said flanges, and wherein the lowermost of said flanges has asegmental notch therein, wherein the lowermost interior wall portion hasa segment extending inwardly therefrom over the top surface of thelowermost of said flanges and registrable with said notch, when theflexible tie-down in a fully released position, to accommodate removalof said winch block and ratchet from said base without removing saidbase from said channel upon release of said pawl, and registry of saidsegment with said segmental notch.
 11. The tie-down of claim 10, whereina compression spring biases said pawl into engagement with said ratchet,wherein a pin forms a fulcrum for said pawl intermediate the endsthereof, wherein removal of said spring and pawl may be attained bydriving said pin out of engagement with said pawl, and wherein said baseis closed in the region of said spring, to retain said spring fromdropping into said channel.
 12. The tie-down of claim 11, wherein anidler for said flexible tie-down is mounted in said channel and isspaced from said base and consists in an arched bar extending over saidtie-down and locking means engageable with a notch in said channel tolock said idler in position.
 13. In a tie-down for freight vehicles andin combination with a channel on the deck of a vehicle and havingretainer flanges extending inwardly therefrom, with locking notches insaid flanges, and a tie-down winch retained to said channel having atie-down chain extending therefrom and adapted to take up tension onsaid chain, an idler for said chain spaced along said channel from saidtie-down winch, said idler including an arched bar through which saidchain extends, parallel legs extending downwardly from said bar andhaving elongated runners a the lower ends thereof engageable with thebase of said channel, flanges extending laterally of said runners forengagement beneath said retainer flanges, to retain said idler to saidchannel upon the taking up of tension on said chain, a reversible lockarm pivoted to an outer of said legs, adjacent one of its ends, a pivotfor said lock arm extending laterally of an outer of said legs, saidlock arm having a free end having locking projections extending upwardlyand downwardly therefrom, a selected of said projections beingengageable with a notch in said channel upon pivotal movement of saidlock arm in one direction or another into position along the top of oneof said retainer flanges.
 14. The tie-down of claim 13, wherein thelocking projections have lugs on the ends thereof having inclinedleading ends and shoulders at the termination of said leading ends, toengage the underside of the channel, by the tension on the chain, andwherein said arms are inclined relative to each other to position onearm perpendicular to a flange of said channel in one position of saidlock arm, and To position the opposite arm perpendicular to the flangeof said channel, in the opposite position of said lock arm.